First of thousands of new trees is planted ahead of National Tree Week

During the tree-planting season, which runs annually from October to March, Lancashire County Council's Treescapes team plant tens of thousands of trees across the county as part of a number of tree-mendous community schemes.

Councillor Joshua Roberts, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, branched out to plant the first of hundreds of fruit trees from this year's orchards grants scheme.

He met Ian Wright from the council's Treescapes team and Kirkham Town Council clerk Liz Squires, Cllr Maggie Ledger LPAOS and Kirsty Reader, Business Support Officer, for the planting session on Remembrance Way. They planted the first apple tree ahead of National Tree Week, which begins on Saturday, November 22 and is the annual national celebration of the start of the tree planting season.

Schools, faith and community groups and parish and borough councils across Lancashire can apply for Lancashire County Council's orchard grants for up to 25 trees from a range of species, including apple, pear, damson, plum, cherry and heritage trees - with some varieties able to bear fruit from the very first year.

The planting season for trees runs from now until March, so now is the perfect time to apply. Funding has already been allocated for 669 trees so far. Applications are still being taken but these will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the funding runs out.

Councillor Joshua Roberts said:

"I was delighted to plant the first fruit tree of the season – an apple tree in Kirkham. These fruit trees will line a length of Remembrance Way not currently under tree cover and as well as making the area greener and more beautiful, they will provide the community with delicious apples in the summer and autumn.

"Through the fantastic orchard grants scheme, we have helped community groups to create 44 beautiful community orchards across Lancashire to date!

"We know that many of the community groups who care for the orchards give away the fruit to the community, food banks and make chutneys and jams to gift as well. They maintain the orchards through help from green-fingered volunteers, who enjoy socialising with others while caring for the trees.

"So far, orchards have been created by parish and town councils, schools, faith groups, residents associations and social enterprises. If your community group would like to create an orchard, applications are still open, so apply now."

Remembrance Way is owned and managed by Kirkham Town Council. One of the Town Council’s allotments, Grow2Give, was successful in obtaining a grant from Lancashire County Council and trees were planted to support food donations for a local charity, Fresh Food 4 Working Families.

The trees are funded by the Coronation Living Heritage Fund (CHLF). The CLHF is a competitive grant, funded by Defra and administered by the LCC Treescapes team.

Lancashire County Council's Treescapes team previously collaborated with Kirkham Town Council on creating a micro forest on The Close Recreation Ground, also using CLHF funding. Cllr Roberts' member grant previously paid for 120ltr of top soil for this.

Liz Squires, Kirkham Town Council Clerk said:

"We applied for an orchard grant previously and were successful for 10 fruit trees. They have provided a harvest for the community with donations to Fresh Foods 4 Working Families. This tree-planting season, we were delighted to be successful in applying to grow the orchard further with another 12 trees.

"Our allotment was awarded the Britain in Bloom with the RHS North West Grow Your Own Award for the work on the allotment and the fruit trees contributed to the provision of 1,400 food portions during 2025."

To apply for an orchard grant, email treescapes@lancashire.gov.uk